An Otter Family Album

Compiled and photographed by
J Scott Shannon

For 25 years, I have observed a population
of seacoast-dwelling otters at Trinidad Bay in far-northwest California.
From the beginning of my observations in June, 1983, to the end of
2007, I've seen my otters 4,796 times, which is probably more than any
other living person has seen these animals in their natural state. It
has been the greatest privilege of my life to chronicle the history of 5
generations of otters here.

Although these otters make their living in the sea, they are not the familiar sea otters of the central California
coast. My critters are North American otters - the species Lontra
canadensis - what are commonly referred to as "river otters." Of all our native wildlife, river otters are usually among the most
difficult to observe. Over most of the U.S., otters are trapped and
persecuted by man, so they are typically very wary of humans. My otters
are so easy to watch precisely because no one here harms them, so they
have no reason to hide themselves.

In these pictures, you will see that
the otters live in close association with humans, at least during the
summer months. Don't let the manmade props deceive you; this drama is
very real. These otters may appear tame, but it is more accurate to
describe them as casual. Humans are a neutral presence to them. They pay
so little attention to people, I don't think they even recognize me,
despite my having been in their immediate proximity on literally
thousands of occasions.

Although I was
educated as a biologist, my motivation for studying these animals runs
much deeper than that. From the start, this has been my own very
personal quest for knowledge. What follows is only a tiny fragment of
the wonders these otters have shown me over these many years...

So now, if you'd like to meet my otters, just click here,
and welcome to their world...